Mechanism for producing and applying wire lengths or other strips.



W. L. WRIGHT.

MECHANISM FOR PRODUCING AND APPLYING WIRE LENGTHS OR OTHER STRIPS,

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 27,1914.

Patented May18,1915.

' 5 SHEETSSHEET l.

2%&

all, J9

awe/14 6.01

THE NORRJS PETERS ca. PHOTD-LITHO.. WASHINGTON, D. Q

W. L. WRIGHT.

MECHANISM FOR PRODUCING AND APPLYlNG WIRE LENGTHS OR OTHER STRIPS.

APPLICATION men MAR. 27, m4. IAQQQQQO Patented May 18, 1915.

' 5 SHEETSSHEET 2 mumdo'a wilt-mum flaw m1;

THE NORRIS PETERS coy, PHOTO-LITHOH WASHINGTON, D.

W. L. WRIGHT.

MECHANISM FOR PRODUCING AND APPLYING WIRE LENGTHS OR OTHER STRIPS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.27.1914.

Patented May 18, 1915.

5 SHEETSSHEET 3 army-"F- 4, 5

THE NORRIS PETERS CO.. FHOTC-LITHO. WASHINGTON. D. C.

W. L. WRIGHT.

MECHANISM FOR PRODUCING AND APPLYING W!RE LENGTHS OR OTHER STRIPS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR 27. I914.

1 1% 22 Patented May 18, 1915.

76 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4- THE NORRIS PETERS Co. PHOTLbLlTHCL. WASHING TON. o.c.

W. L. WRIGHT. MECHANISM FOR PRODUCING AND APPLYING WIRE LENG'IHS OROTHER STRIPS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 27. 1914.

1,149,298. Patented May 18, 1915.

5 SHEETSSHEET 5- THE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHDTO-L!THO.. WASHINGTON. D. C.

STATE PATIENT @FFliQE.

WILBUR L. WRIGHT, OF V/ASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO AJAXLVIANUFACTUEING COMPANY, (31? 'WASHENGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ACORPO- RATION 9F MARYLAND.

MECHANISM FOR PEOD UCING AND APPLYING W'IRE LENGTHS- OR- OTHER STRIPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 18, 1915.

Application filed March 27, 1914. Serial No. 827,721.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, .VILBUR L. WRIGHT, acitizen of the United States, residing at lVashington, District ofColumbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inMechanisms for Producing and Applying Wire Lengths or other Strips, of

which the following is a specification.

lhis invention relates to certain improvements in mechanism for makingand applying metal strips or tabs; and the objects and nature of theinvention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art in thelight of the following explanation of the accompanying drawingsillustrating what I now believe to be the preferred embodiment ormechanical expression from among other constructions, combinations andarrangements within the spirit and scope of the invention.

An object of the invention is to provide certain improvements inmechanism for feeding forward wire or a metal strip from a suitablesupply and cutting pieces therefrom and attaching such pieces tosuitable stock, or to various articles or materials.

A further object of the invention is to provide mechanism for drawingwire or the like from a suitable supply and cutting lengths therefromand fastening said lengths to suitable material, said mechanismcomprising a reciprocating head embodying the wire feeding and cuttingdevices and the means for driving the wire lengths into and securing thesame in said material.

A further object of the invention is to provide certain improvements incombinations of parts and in arrangements and constructions whereby anexceedingly efiicient and simple mechanism will be produced for formingand attaching metal tabs or strips to any suitable articles or material.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction and inarrangements and combinations as more fully and particularly pointed outhereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying draw ings:-Figure 1 is a front elevationof mechanism embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on theline 22, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail front elevation of a portion of themechanism of Fig. 1, portions being shown in vertical section. Fig.

4 is a detail front elevation of the structure of Fig. 3, the verticallyreciprocatory head or block being shown at its limit of downwardmovement. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken in the plane of the line55, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the reciprocatory head and thebed on which it slides. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective of a guidebridge, loop or bracket and of the device carried thereby to preventretrograde movement of the wire. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view ofthe reciprocatory head, with the die block and its retaining plateremoved therefrom. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective of a wire guide block.Fig. 10 is a detail perspective of one of the dies and the stop oradjusting screw therefor. Fig. 11 is a detail perspective of thestripping block or plate. Fig. 12 is a detail perspective of the dieblock. Fig. 13 is a detail perspective of a portion of the die blockwith the die removed therefrom. Fig. 14 is a detail perspective view ofthe rock shaft and its eccentric whereby the die block is actuated onits lateral or horizontal movements.

In the particular embodiment of my invention illustrated by theaccompanying drawings, any suitable mechanism is provided to feedforward a band or ribbon of closure disk stock, with a step by stepmovement, between a reciprocating metal-tabformingand-driving head andsuitable means to fasten tabs to and at uniform intervals along thestock and to lay the tabs out on the stock.

The reciprocating head is provided with a laterally movable diecooperating with the head to feed wire a certain distance toward thestock and to cut on a certain length of said wire and drive the samethrough the stock and to close down the previously driven tab or wirelength into a position on and parallel with the stock, all at eachcomplete stroke of the head.

In the drawings, 1 show a suitable and normally fixedly-supportedvertical frame or plate 1, on the front face of which isnormally-fixedly secured a vertically arranged bed 2, formed with avertical tongue or guide 3, having its opposite longitudinal edgesundercut. A vertically disposed head or plate 4, is confined to thesupport 1, in vertical sliding adjustment, by the engage ment of theguide 3, in a vertical undercut guide or slide-way 5, in the rear sideof the head 4. The head 4 is thus confined to vertical reciprocation ina normally-fixed line by the dovetailed sliding connection between thehead and said bed. The frame or plate 1, is formed with a rigidforwardly projecting ledge, support, arm or flange 6, arranged asuitable distance below the head 4, and the bed 2, and this support 6,carries a vertically adjustable post 7, at its upper end provided with astock or work-supporting and wire-bending head or anvil 8. The support 6is also provided with another vertically adjustable post 9, parallelwith post 7 and spaced a distance therefrom and at its upper end formedwith a head or platen 10, having an approximately fiat top surface overwhich the stock travels. The posts 7, 9 can be in the form' oflongitudinally threaded bolts or rods extending loosely through verticalholes in the support 6, and held in the desired vertical adjustment, andrendered capable of independent vertical adjustment by nuts 11, arrangedon the bolts, respectively, above and below the support 6.

The band or ribbon of stock a, to which the tabs are to be applied,rests on the anvil 8 and platen 10, and slides forward thereover underthe action of any suitable step by step feeding means such as rotaryfeed rolls 12, actuated by any suitable means, not shown. These rollsusually continuously rotate and are arranged to periodically feed thestock forward a fixed distance at each stroke. The head 4 reciprocatestoward and from the stock a, and said head carries the necessarydevicesfor guiding, cutting and shaping, driving, and feeding the wire. Thewire 6 is usually drawn from a spool or reel, not shown, or any othersuitable su ply, and passes down in front and longitu inally of thehead, and the arrangement is such that each movement of the head towardthe stock a feeds said wire forwardly a predetermined distance, while onits return stroke the head moves longitudinally and in dependently ofthe wire, or in other words, slides upwardly along the wire withoutmoving the wire upwardly therewith.

Any suitable device is provided to maintain the wire under tension whilebeing fed forward and to hold the same against retrograde or backwardmovement with the head. For instance, I show a rigid guide loop, bracketor bridge 14, at its ends fixed to the supporting frame 1, beyond theopposite edges of the head and the bed 2, on which said head slides andat its central portion arranged transversely of said head and traversingthe front face of the upper portion thereof and tending to guide saidhead and hold the same to its bed. This guide bracket is provided with awire tension and holding or locking device through which the wire isdrawn on the downward movement of the head and this device is arrangedat the rear or inner side of said bracketiabout centrally in front ofthe upper end portion of the head.

The particular tension and locking device illustrated, consists of avertically disposed block 15, fixed to the inner side of the spring 20,is secured to the bracket and cone stantly acts on said locking block toforce the same upwardly to wire-locking position.

The edge 18, is so inclined that the block tapers or reduces upwardly,hence when the block is moved downwardly the flange 17, can movelaterally from the groove 16, and relieve the wire therein from grippingor looking pressure, but when the block is forced upwardly the rollers19, acting on the inclined edge 18, will force the block laterally topress the flange 17, against the wire in groove 16, and thereby locksaid wire against upward movement between said blocks. When the headmoves down, the wire will be drawn thereby downwardly through the groove16, and the friction of the wire on the flange or rib 17, will tend tomove the tension or wedge block down and thereby relieve the lockingpressure of said block on the wire, yet the pressure will maintain thedesired wire straightening tension on the wire. hen the head moves up,the wedge block will be forced in by the rollers and will clamp the wireagainst upward movement with the head. However, I do not wish to limitmy invention to any particular tension or locking device. The head 4 isprovided with a wire guide block 21, located below the wire lockingdevice of the bracket, and this block is formed with a verticallongitudinal narrow wire receiving slot or groove 22, in alinement withthe groove 16, of the wire locking device. This slot at its ends opensthrough the upper and 22, and passes therefrom into a vertical passagebetween the fixed guide blocks 23, 24, forming a straight verticalcontinuation of the slot 22. The adjoining vertical faces of theseblocks 23, 24, abut and one or both of said faces can be grooved to forma guiding passage for the wire. The block 24 is vertically elongatedwith respect to the block 23, and the wire extends down in the guidinggroove in the extended portion of said block 24, and is confined thereinunder certain condition by a yieldingly held vertical block 25, forming,in efiect, a downward continuation of block 23, and opposing thedownwardly extended portion of block 24, and extended downwardly to ahorizontal plane a considerable distance below the horizontal plane ofthe lower end of block 24.

The block 25 is provided with a coiled spring 2', constantly acting onthe block to force the same laterally against block 24. The block 25, isprovided with a laterally tecting guide pin 27, rigid therewith andentrally through the coiled In th particular example illusleft hand sideof the head .11? .ughout its length is rabbeted at the rentor otherwisereduced in thickness so that the various blocks 21, 23, 25 can bearranged unt er the wire locking and tension device and receive the wiretherefrom, and so that the right hand side of the block will be of suchthickness as to form an outwardl r extending vertical wall or abutment28, throughout the length of the head and to the :ight of the wire onits passage to the stoclr. The blocks 21, 23, 24, and 25, fit againstthe flat vertical face of said reduced portion of th head and the blocks21, 23, d 2%, are fixed to the head by suitable eans with the bloclrs 21and 23, fitting said 'all or abutment 28. The wall or abutment limitsthe movement of the block toward the right and the guide pin 27 of saidblock extends loosely into a horizontal or transverse passage in theright h and portion of the head, which passage also contains the spring26. The wire passes from the guide block 24:. downwardly and verticallyalong the longitudinal vertical left hand side face of the block 25, tothe wire cutting and shaping devices arranged approximately at the lowerend of the head and at the lower end portion of said block 25.

The wire cutting mechanism comprises a fixed or male die, cutter orpunch, and a m vable or female die or cutter. The fixed die consists ofan elongated bar 29, of the re quired hard metal arranged transverselyof the head in a suitable socket or recess in the end edge portion ofthe right-hand part of the head. The operating end of this die presentsa re tical end face 30, having top cutting edge and this vertical endface in this instance) is approximately of the same width as the arebeing operated on, and said face is approximately flush with thewire-cngap' face of the block 25, when said bloc is in its normalposition in engagement iith the block 2%. The die 29 is longitudinallyadjustable and its longitudinal position is determined by thelongitudinally adjustable set or stop screw 32, adjustable in a tappedhole in the head and having its outer or operating end exposed at theright hand edge of the head. The inner end of said screw abuts the rearend of said die. This step or abutment screw 32, can be locked in thedesired adjustment by set or looking screw 33, having its head exposedat the front of the head a. The die 29 is clamped in the desiredvertical and longitudinal position by suitable means, such as clampingscrews 3%, having their operating heads exposed at the front of head l,while their inner ends or points engage the outer longitudinal side ofsaid die in a longitudinal groove 35, extending throughout the length ofsaid die. The screws 34, extend through tapped holes in the head (or ina member normally fixed thereto) and tightly clamp the die againstmovement and also center the same in the desired horizon tal plane. Thescrews can be slightly loosened to permit longitudinal adjtstment of thedie by screw 32.

As the flat working face 30 mus be fre quently ground to sharpen thecutting edge, advantages are attained by providing the adjusting meanswhereby the die can be adjusted inwardly to take up wear and to maintainthe necessar accurate adjustment of the face 30, with respect tocooperating parts. By employing the elongated die, extensive wear bygrinding or sharpening is possible before it is necessary to insert anew die.

By the arrangement approximately as disclosed, the die is readilyremovable for grinding and can be as quickly reinstated and secured inthe proper adii'istment.

The opposing or movable die 36 is arranged opposite the face 30 of thefixed die and is movable toward and from the same tunsversely of or atright angles to the direction of reciprocation of the head 4-, and ofthe line of feed of the wire. This die 36 is in ti form of a verticalplate or' disk having a central transverse opening or notch 37, in itslower end of a form or con-- tour to receive the operating end of thedie 29, and to form the cutting edge 38, to cooperate with the edge 31,of the die 29, in severing the wire. In. the example illustrated, thisnotch 37 opens downwardly through the bottom edge of the die. This dieplate 36, is removably secured in the inner end of a slidable block orcarrier 39, on the front of the head and at its inner face having agroove or slidev iy ll), removably receiving a guide rib 4-1, d with thefront face of the head e, and arranged transversely thereof. This slideor block 39, is removably confined on the rib l1, and to the front faceof the head by a face plate 42, removably secured to the upper portionof the head by bolts 43, and from thence depending at the outer face ofthe slide. The die block or carrier can hence be readily exposed forinspection by removing the face or confining plate 42, and is alsothereby rendered readily removable for any purpose as when the faceplate is removed the die block can be re-- moved from its slideway orguide 41. The die 36 is removably fitted in a recess extendingtransversely across the inner end of the slide block 39 so that theupper and lower end edges of said die fit shoulders of said block, andthe die is removably secured by one or more screws 44.

Immediately below the die 36, the slide block 39 is provided with a pairof rigid parallel fiat horizontal guide or guard fingers 45, projectingin longitudinal continuation of said block and beyond the vertical planeof the die 36 and across the vertical plane of the line of feed of thewire. These fingers 45 are spaced apart a distance approximately equalto the width of the wire being operated'on, and said fingerslongitudinally straddle the fixed die 29, and slide longitudinallythereof along the opposite longitudinal side faces thereof and aid inmaintaining the fixed and movable dies in the required accuratealinement. The lower open end of the notch 37 of the die 36, coincideswith the space between said fingers and the lower edge of said die restson the top edges of said fingers. The lower end of the block 25 slidablyengages the top faces of the projecting or free end portions of saidfingers, inasmuch as the lower end of said block 25, in the particularexample illustrated, is centrally and transversely notched, at 46, tostraddle and snugly and slidably fit the top edge portion of the fixeddie and thereby form legs depending at the sides thereof andapproximately into engagement with the fingers 45. The arrangement issuch that the block 24 limits the outward or lateral movement of theblock 25, under the action of spring 26, so that the wire-engagingvertical face of block 25 is normally flush with the operative verticalend face 30, of the fixed die 29, see Figs. 1 and 8, and the block 25 isspaced laterally, toward the left, a distance from the wall or abutment28, that limits the depressed movement of said block 25 from block 24toward the right.

If so desired, the slide block 39 can be provided with a presser fingeror spring-pressed plunger 47, having a rounded projecting end constantlybearing against the wire and yieldingly holding the same against thevertical face of the block 25. This spring plunger 47, is arrangedlongitudinally of the slide block and is constantly pressed against thewire by a spring such as 48. The slide block is formed with alongitudinal bore to receive the plunger and its spring, and the dieplate 36, is formed with a transverse hole in alinement with this boreand the inner end of the plunger projects through this hole in the dieplate and projects laterally beyond the die and intoengagement with thewire. This spring pressed plunger is arranged a distance above, the wirecutting dies and applies the necessary tension to the depending wire endafter the dies have cut a' length therefrom, and constantly holds saidwire end against the face of the block 25, when the dies are separated.The spring 48 is lighter than the spring 26, and hence does notinterfere with the proper operation of block 25.

If it is desired to form either an indentation or a perforation in thelengths or tabs cut from the wire by the dies, I provide the slide blockwith a punch 49, arranged 1011- gitudinally thereof, fixed therein, andpro- 7 jecting therefrom into the notch 37 in the die plate to cooperatewith the working face 30,0f the fixed die in forming the indentation orcutting the perforation in the wire length. The face 30, of the fixeddie'can be formed with a depression 50, to cooperate with the punch 49,in punching the wire. The slide block is also provided with alongitudinally movable spring-pressed pin 51, arranged longitudinally ofthe block in a suitable bore therein and backed by a suitable spring 52,constantly acting on the pin to press the some toward the fixed die 29.The free end of this pin 51 is arranged in the lower portion of theopening 37 of the movable die and normally projects outwardly beyond thevertical plane of the outer face of said die. This pin performs thefunction of a stripper, to press the cut wire length outwardly from saiddie opening' when the dies separate, as more fully set forthhereinafter, while the spring pressed block 25, at the same time acts asa stripper to press the free lower end of the wire to the left and freefrom the top surface of the fixed die.

In the particular example illustrated, the

dies are shaped to out similar tabs 0, (Fig.

2) from the wire without waste, each tab having one end forked to formtwo points or prongs to be driven through the stock and curled or hookedat the under side of the stock and at its opposite end taperedcorresponding to the forked end, so that each stroke of the dies willcut a tab from the wire,

forming the handle end of the tab and the forked end of the tab to becut off at the next Suitable operating and timing devices are providedfor actuating the die and the slide block 39, in proper sequence' Forinstance, I show a constantly rotating horizontal drive shaft 5st,driven by any suitable means and mounted in any suitable manner at therear of the supporting frame or plate 1, and provided with a cam fixedthereto. This cam is designed to control the vertical position of avertically swingable lever or rocker 56, having a roller 57 held down tothe operating edge of the cam by a spring 58, applied to the rear end ofthe lever and constantly tending to hold the same depressed. The leveris fulcrumed intermedi ate its ends to rock on axis 59, carried by thesupport 1, and the front end of the lever is operatively connected tothe head 4:, to raise and lower the same by the upright link 60, at itsupper end pivoted to the lever and at its lower end pivoted to the upperend of the head by pivot pin 61, confined in suitable ears rising fromthe head.- The operating edge of the cam is continuous and is elevatedthroughout a portion of its periphery and is depressed throughout theremainder thereof, and hence the front end of the lever is helddepressed and consequently the head 4, is at its limit of downwardmovement by the elevated portion of the cam acting on roller 57 duringeach complete revolution of the cam, while the front end of the lever iselevated (by spring 58) and the head 4, held at its limit of upwardmovement approximately throughout the remainder of each completerevolution.

The slide block provided with the movable die is carried by the head andrises and falls therewith, and in addition said block is reciprocatedtransversely of said head and toward and from the fixed die, to grip thewire and feed the same forward the proper length, to cut a tab from thewire, and to drive the tab through the stock on the downward movement ofthe head, and to move in a direction away from the wire so that the headcan slide freely on the wire on the upward or return movement of thehead.

I provide operating connections between the drive or cam shaft 54, andsaid slide block, to actuate the slide block on its said transversemovements, and in the particular example illustrated, these connectionscomprise a cam 62, fixed on the shaft 54, a vertically swingable toe 63,arranged over said cam and having a roller 64:, held down on thecontinuous operating edge of said cam by spring 65 (said toe beingpivotally mounted at its front end to the support 1, by pin a pitman orlink 67, arranged vertically in rear of the support 1, and at its upperend pivotally joined to said toe and at its lower end pivotally joinedto a crank or wrist pin 68, projecting rearwardly from a crank disk 69,fixed on the rear end of a rock shaft 70, mounted in and extendingthrough the support 1, and at its front end having a forwardly extendingstud eccentric to the longitudinal axis of shaft 70, and carrying aroller 71, confined in a vertically elongated yoke, loop or slottedextension 72, rigid with the outer or left hand end of the slide blockand arranged beyond the left hand edge of the reciprocating head 4:.

The roller 71, fits snugly between the elongated parallel vertical sidewalls of the yoke 72, to permit the vertical movement of the yoke on theroller as the head l, reciprocates inasmuch as the roller is carried bythe shaft 70, mounted in the support 1, against vertical movement.However, as the roller is eccentrically arranged with respect to theshaft, rotary movement of the shaft in one direction will carry saidroller 71, to the left whatever the vertical position of the head t, andthereby move the slide block toward the left in the head and separatethe opposing dies, while rotary movement of the shaft in the oppositedirection will carry said roller toward the right and consequently forcethe slide block inwardly in the head to bring the dies together.

The rocking or rotary movement of the shaft is accomplished by thevertical movement of the pitman 67, through its crank connection withthe shaft 70. For instance, when the roller 64, is riding on theelevated portion of the continuous edge or periphcry of the cam 62, andthe toe 68 is thereby elevated, the shaft 70, will be rocked to itslimit to the right and the slide block will be forced to its limit ofinward movement with dies in the positions shown by Fig. 3. \Vhen theroller 61'- is traveling on the depressed portion of the periphery ofthe cam 62, the shaft 70, will be rocked to its limit toward the leftand the slide block will be at its limit of outward movement with thedies separated. The cams 55, 62, are preferably so arranged that theslide block will be moved on its in and out strokes in the head a, whilesaid head is at rest either at its limit of upward movement or at itslimit of downward movement. The sliding movement of the slide block inthe head can be varied and the necessary accurate adjustment can bemaintained by the adjusting nut or coupling 7%, for varying the lengthof pitman 67 and by adjusting the crank pin 68, radially of the crankdisk 69. This adjustment of the crank pin is provided for by adiametrical slideway across the crank disk in which a slide 7 5,carrying the crank pin is longitudinally adjustable. The slide isnormally fixedly clamped in the desired adjustment in this slideway orgroove by nut 76. The cams 55, 62, are so formed that each completerevolution of the shaft 5%, will cause a complete stroke of the headfrom elevated to depressed position and return and a complete stroke ofthe slide or die block from withdrawn position to wire operatingposition and return.

The parts are so arranged that when the head first reaches its elevatedposition, the die or slide block will be in withdrawn position, that is,at its limit of movement to the left and away from the wire. WVhile thehead is thus held elevated, the cam 62, elevates the toe 63, and forcesthe slide or die block to its limit of inward movement (Fig. 3) drivingthe movable die onto the fixed die and thereby severing a tab from thewire and depositing'said tab in the notch or opening of the movable dieand depending from the head between the adjoining side edges of theguide fingers 45, while said tab is clamped against the face 30, of thefixed die by the punch 49 and stripper 51 of the movable die. The die orslide block when at its said inward limit also drives its die plateagainst the stripper block 25, and forces said block laterally from theblock 24, and against the wall 28 of the head, so that the notched lowerend of block 25 slides longitudinally on the fixed die and away from thecutting end of said die which end is then projecting snugly into thenotch or opening of the movable die. When the parts are in this position the tab is arranged vertically tightly gripped in position with itsprongs or pointed ends extending a distance below the head, while thelength of wire from which said tab has been severed, is tightly grippedbetween the movable die and the stripper block 25. While the tab andwire are thus held gripped (primarily by the elevation of the cam 62,lifting toe 63) the elevation of the cam 55, will lift lever 56, andmove the head 4: on itsdownward stroke and thereby feed the wire forward(through the tension and locking device) the predetermined certaindistance, and drive the points of the tabheld by the die or slidingblock downwardly through the stock and into engagementwith the curved orconcaved wall of the depression in the top of the anvil 8, which curvedwall curls or bends said prongs or points to the right and upwardly intoapproximate hook form with the points of the hooks usually directedupwardly and arranged below the bottom surface of the stock, preferablywithout again puncturing or extending into the stock. After the tab hasbeen driven and secured to the stock (see Fig. 4:) and while the head isthus held depressed by the elevated portion of cam 55, and liftingroller 57, the cam 62, in its rotation passes its high portion fromunder roller 64-, allowing said.

pin 68) to rock shaft 70 toward the left to withdraw the slide or dieblock from wire gripping position. When the die block is thus withdrawnthe spring of the stripper 51 will expand and drive the stripper towardthe left to strip the tab from the movable die notch or opening and freethe same from punch 49, as well as from the movable die and therebyovercome any possible tendency of said tab to stick or wedge in saidopening. Also when said die block is withdrawn, the spring held plunger47 will hold the depending wire end (from which the driven tab wassevered) against the stripper block 25, and thereby overcome anytendency of said wire end to adhere to the movable die and follow thesame in its withdrawal, and also the spring of the stripper block 25,will expand and 'drive said block to its normal position against block24, sliding said block 25, along the fixed punch to the working endthereof and thereby stripping the tab and depending wire end from theworking end of the fixed die and overcoming any tendency'of said .tabandwireend to adhere to said fixed die. This stripper block 25,particularly moves the depending wire end toward the left clear of theworking face of said fixed die. WVhen the die or slide block has thusbeen withdrawn and left the tab free of the dies and secured to thestock and rising therefrom into the head, (and while the roller 64, ison the depressed portion of cam 62) the elevated edge portion of cam 55,passes from under roller 57, thereby permitting spring 58, ito swing thelever 56 to elevate the head to its limit of upward'movement, as shownby Fig. l. The head moves up leaving the tab just driven thereby,secured in and rising from the stock, as'shown by Fig. 1. The headmovesup independently of the wire as the wire is held against upward movementby the tension and locking device, and in moving up the various guideblocks of the head and the spring plunger 47, and stripper block 25,slide up along and in engagement with'the wire and maintain the samestraight and in the desired alinement and against twisting or buckling.As the head moves up the working face of the fixed die passes up alongdepending fromthe head as appears in Fig.

1, in readiness to be driven through the stock and sec'uredwhen theheadmoves down as f hereinbeforedescribed.

In the'particul-ar example illustrated, the

tabs are secured at regular intervals along a ribbon of stock and arethen depressed to horizontal position on' and approximately parallelwith the top face. of the stock 'so that successive areas of the stockcanbe cut or punched outvto form closure disks, each having a free endtab resting on the top face thereof, although my invention is not solimited.

The stock feeding mechanism is arranged and timed to feed the stockforward a predetermined frxed distance during each period that the head4-, is elevated therefrom and to allow said stock to remain at restduring the intervening period and while the head is applying the tabthereto. In fact, in Fig. l, the stock is shown starting on a feedingstroke or step to carry the upright tab just applied thereto to aposition over the platen 10, whereupon the stock will come to rest. Inthis example, the bottom edge of the die or slide block is formed totilt said upright tab toward the right (see Fig. 3), when the headdescends to swing or otherwise move the tab to horizontal position onthe top face of the stock as shown by Fig. i. To accomplish this result,I show the bottom edge of the slide lock formed with a dependinglongitudinal incline or cam face 79, to tilt the tab and cooperate withthe platen 10 in bodily swinging or moving the tab down onto the stock,without bending the tab and without clenching or distorting the 1100 recprong ends that secure the tab to the stock, although my i11- vention isnot so limited.

in the particular application of my invention illustrated, the platen10, is located in rear of the anvil S, a distance equal to the distancethe stock is fed forward at each feeding stroke or step, andconsequently a distance equal to the distance the tabs are spaced aparton the stock.

It will be noted that when tie head descends to feed the wire and todrive the tab cut from said wire, the upper portion of the tab isconfined in the movable die opening or notch and the tab is driven bythe downward engagement of the wall of said notch with the upper portionof the tab while the tab is guided and held in the proper position andagainst buckling by the guide fingers i5, and the end face of the fixeddie against which the tab is held by the punch 49 and stripper 51.

Any suitable mechanism or device can be provided for laterally bendingthe points or ends of the tabs that are driven through and project belowthe stock, and hence I do not wish to limit my invention to an anvil forthis purpose. Also, I do not wish to limit my in ention to a platencooperating with the tab driving head or a part thereof, for moving theupright tabs to a position down on the stock, inasmuch as any suitablemeans can be provided for this purpose.

My invention is not limited to the forma tion and application of theparticular handle or pull tabs to a continuous strip of stock or othermaterial that is finally cut into disks, inasmuch as my invention canapply tabs or other wire lengths to separate pieces of material, andsuch wire lengths can be variously formed and applied to tickets, tags,cloth and other articles for various purposes, and furthermore myinvention can be adapted to operate on flat ribbon-like, round, bookbinders or other wire.

It is evident that various changes,- variations, and modifications mightbe resorted to, that elements might be omitted and various features andstructures might be added without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exactdisclosure hereof.

W hat I claim is 1. In combination, a head movable toward the work, saidhead provided with and carrying a fixed wire cutter, and a movable wirecutter having an independent movement in the head toward and from thefixed cutter and provided with operating means for tim ing the movementthereof, said head embodying means to clamp and feed the wire forward onthe movement of the head toward the work and to release the wire andpermit the head to slide freely thereon on its movement away from thework, said last mentioned means being controlled by said operatingmeans.

2. in combination, a stock support, a wire-- cutting feeding and drivinghead movable toward and from said support and provided with and carryingwire clamping means, means for reciprocating said head, and oper atingand timing devices for said clamping means arranged to operate saidmeans to clamp and feed said wire forward on the stroke of the headtoward said support and to operate said means to release the wire sothat the head can slide freely on the wire on the return stroke of the had.

3. In combination, a wire-cutting-feeding and-driving head, actuatingmeans for reciprocating the head on its wire feeding and drivin strokeand on its return stroke, said head being provided with and carrying awire clamp having an independent move ment in said head, and operatingand timing means for said clamp to cause the clamp to grip the wire onthe driving stroke of the head, whereby the head then feeds the wireforward, and to then release the wire so that the head on its returnstroke will move freely with respect to the wire.

l. in combination, a wire-cutting feedingand-driving head provided withwire cuttin and clamping means, operating mechanism for moving said headon its wire feeding and driving stroke and on its return stroke, andtiming means controlling the operation of said vire cutting and clampingmeans to clamp the wire and the length out therefrom on the wire feedingand driving stroke of said head and to then release the cut wire lengthand the wire,

, pendently of said head and having a wire head on wire feeding anddriving stroke and on return stroke; and operating and timing means formoving said slide to wire cutting and gripping position to grip the wireand the length cut from the same on the feeding and driving stroke ofthe head and to then move to inoperative position, whereby the headmoves freely along the wire on its return stroke.

6. In combination, a reciprocating wirefeeding-cutting-and-driving headprovided with means establishing a straight path therethrough for thewire parallel with the direction of movement of the head, a wire tensionand locking device mounted indepath in alinement with said path throughthe head, operating mechanism for actuating the head on its wire feedingand driving stroke and in a direction away from said tension and lockingdevice, said head pro vided with devices for periodically cutting saidwire and gripping the wire and the length cut therefrom and thenreleasing the wire and the length cut therefrom; and operating andtiming means for said last mentioned devices.

7. In combination, a reciprocating wirefeeding-cutting-and-driving headprovided with means establishing a straight path therethrough for thewire parallel with the direction of movement of the head, operatingmechanism for actuating the head on its wire feeding and driving andreturn strokes, said head provided with and carrying devices forperiodically cutting said Wire and gripping the wire and the length outtherefrom to draw the wire down with the head on its driving stroke andthen releasing the wire and the length cut therefrom and driven into thework and to permit the head to move up independently of the wire, andoperating and timing means for said devices.

8. In combination, a reciprocating wirefeeding-cutting-and-driving head,operating means for moving the head on its wire feeding andv drivingstroke and on its return stroke, said head provided with and carrying acombined wire cutting and gripping device whereby the wire lengths arecut from the wire and the wire is fed forward with the head on thedriving and feeding stroke of the'head, and actuating and timing meanscontrolling said cutting and gripping device whereby the same is released from the wire lengths after said lengths have been driven intothe work and from the Wire to permit the return stroke of said headfreely along the wire.

9. In combination, a support, a reciprocating wire feeding cutting anddriving block slidably confined to the support, operating means formoving the block on its wire feeding and driving stroke and on itsreturn stroke, a guide yoke for said block fixed to said support, a wiretension and locking device carried by said yoke and through which thehead draws the wire on its feed ing and driving stroke and which locksthe wire against retrograde movement when the block makes its returnstroke, said block provided with and carrying wire guiding, gripping andcutting means, and operating and timing mechanism for said wire grippingand cutting means. 7

10. In combination, a support, a reciprocating wire' feeding, cuttingand driving head slidably confined to the support and provided withmeans establishing a straight wire path along the head parallel with thedirection of movement of the head, said head provided with a combinedwire cutting and gripping device to sever a length-from the wire and tohold said length in approximate alinement with said path and projectingfrom the head and toward said anvil for driving through stock,'means forbending laterally the portion of said wire length driven through andprojecting beyond the stock, and operating and timing devices for saidhead and for said device.

11. In combination, awire feeding-cutting and driving side blockembodying means establishing a straight wire path along the block,operating means for moving said block in a direction parallel with saidpath on the block wire feeding and driving stroke and on the blockreturn stroke, said head provided with and carrying wire cutting,gripping and driving devices; and operating and timing mechanism forsaiddevices.

12. In combination, means to feed stock with a step by step movement, awire feeding-cutting and driving head, operating mechanism to move saidhead on its feed ing and driving stroke toward said stock and on itsreturn'stroke away from said stock, said head embodying devices to feeda length of wire towardsaid stock andto cut a tab therefrom and drivethe same through said stock and leave'said tab in a position projectingfrom said stock approximately at right angles thereto, timing andactuating mechanism for said devices, said head formed to move apreviously-applied tab to a position on and parallel with the stock ateach tab driving stroke, and means to cooperate with said head in movingpreviously applied tabs down onto the stock.

13. In combination, a reciprocating wire feeding-cutting and drivinghead embodying means to cut tabs from a wire length and to drive saidtabs into stock and leave said tabs projecting from the stockapproximately transversely thereof and to simultaneously move previouslyapplied tabs to a position parallel with and against the surface of thestock, operating means to actuate said head on its wire feeding tabdriving strokes toward said stock and on its return strokes away fromsaid stock, an adjustable anvil opposing said head to curl or hook theends of the tabs driven through the stock by the head, and anindependently adjustable platen opposing said head and spaced from saidanvil and arranged to cooperate with said head in moving previouslyapplied and hooked tabs to a position on and parallel with said stock.

14:. In combination, a support provided with means to support stock orother work to which tabs are to be applied, a wire-feeding andtab-cutting and driving slide block opposing said means and the stockthereon, operating means to reciprocate said block on its wire feedingand tab driving stroke toward said stock and on its return stroke awayfrom said stock, a fixed guiding bracket for said block and under whichthe same slides, a wire tension and locking device carried by saidbracket and through which the wire is drawn on the feeding and drivingstroke of the block and which locks the wire against retrograde movementon the return stroke of the block, said head provided with wire tensionand guiding means and with wire cutting and wire and tab gripping andtab driving devices movable therein, and actuating and timing mechanismfor said cutting and gripping devices.

15. In combination, a reciprocating wire feeding and cutting and tabdriving head provided with a fixed wire cutting die and a springactuated stripper block for cooperating therewith in guiding the wirethereacross and in stripping the wire therefrom, said head also providedwith a movable die and wire gripping slide movable toward and from saidblock and fixed die and provided with a spring plunger opposing saidblock and with a punch opposing said fixed die and with a stripper forstripping the tab (cut by said dies from the wire) from said movabledie, operating means for reciprocating said head on its wire feeding andtab driving stroke and on its return stroke, and means for actuating andtiming said slide in its movements in said head.

16. A reciprocating wire-feeding-and-cutting-and-tab-driving head havingan elongated longitudinally adjustable fixed die with a working face atits inner end providing a cutting edge, a longitudinally adjustableabutment backing said die, said die formed with a longitudinal sidegroove, a clamping screw adjustable in the head and entering said groovetransversely of said die, means to guide a wire length transverselyacross said working face, and a cooperating female die movable towardand from the working-face end of said fixed die, substantially asdescribed.

17. A wire cutting and tab driving head provided with a fixed male die,means to guide the wire to be cut across the working face of said die, adie block movable toward and from said male die and provided with afemale die to receive the same and cooperate therewith in severing saidwire to form a tab and to drive said tab into the work, and spaced guidefingers carried by said block and longitudinally and slidably receivingsaid fixed die and guiding said tab below said female die.

18. A wire cutting and tab driving head provided with a male die, meansto strip the wire end therefrom, a die block movable toward and fromsaid male die and having means to grip the wire end against saidstripping means, and also provided with a female die to receive saidmale die and with means to cooperate with the male die in holding thetab cut from the wire while said tab is being driven.

19. In combination, a reciprocating wire feeding, cutting and drivinghead embodying means to cut tabs from a wire length and to drive saidtabs into stock and leave said tabs projecting from the stock approximately transversely thereof and to simultaneously move previouslyapplied tabs to a position down on the surface of the stock, andoperating means to actuate said head on its wire feeding and tab drivingstrokes toward said stock and on its return strokes away from saidstock.

20. A. reciprocating wire-length-driving head provided with means todrive wire lengths into stock and leave said lengths projecting from thestock approximately perpendicularly thereto, said head formed tosimultaneously move wire lengths previously applied thereby to the stockto a position on the surface of the stock, and operating means toactuate said head on its wire length driving and wire length movingstroke toward said stock and on its return stroke away from said stock,in combination with means for supporting and moving said stock.

21. In combination, means for applying wire lengths in an uprightposition to stock with an end of each length driven through andprojecting beyond the stock, means for bending said projecting ends ofthe wire lengths laterally against the under surface of the stock, andmeans for moving said upright previously applied wire lengths intopositions down on and approximately parallel with the outer surface ofthe stock simultaneously with said application of wire lengths to andthrough the stock.

22. In combination, a tab driving head, operating mechanism to move saidhead on its tab driving stroke toward the stock and on its return strokeaway from said stock, said head provided with devices to drive a tabinto said stock and leave said tab in a position projecting'from saidstock approximately at right angles thereto, said head also being formedto move a previously applied tab to a position on and parallel with thestock at each tab driving stroke, and means to back said stock andoppose said head in cooperating therewith in moving the previouslyapplied tabs thereagainst.

23. In combination, a head movable toward and from the work, said headprovided with a fixed wire cutter, a movable wire cutter having anindependent movement in the head toward and from the fixed cutter andhaving means to clamp the severed wire length against said fixed cutterand to support said wire length while the same is being driven into thework, operating means for said head, and operating and timing means forsaid movable wire cutter.

2%. In combination, a wire-lengtl1-driving head movable toward and fromthe work, a Wire cutter carried by said head and having an operatingmovement independent thereof, operating means for said head,operatingand timing means for said cutter, and devices controlled bysaid cutter for clamping the severed wire length while it is beingdriven and for clamping the wire to feed the same toward the work on thedriving stroke of the head and to release said wire and permit the headto move freely thereon on its movement away from the work.

25. In combination, a wire-feeding and tab-driving head movable towardand from the work and formed with a wire passage extending therethrough,means carried by said head for cutting tabs from the length of wireextending through said head and for holding said tabs projecting fromsaid head while-said tabs are driven into the work by the movement ofthe head to the work and for then releasing saidtabs, and means carriedby said head for clamping the end of the wire from which a tab has beencut and for moving the wire with the head as said head moves toward thework and for then releasing said wire and permitting the head to slidefreely thereon on its return movement so that the end of the wire willproject from'the head and toward the work on the completion of saidreturn movement of the head, substantially as described.

26. In combination, a wire feeding and tab-driving head, operatingmeansfor moving saidhead on its tab driving and wire feeding strokes, awire cutting and tab holding device carriedby said head and comprisingmale and female relatively-movable wire cutting and tab; clamping dies,said female die having arecess in which the tab is clamped against saidmale die'while said tab is being driven into the work on the tab drivingstroke of said head, said recess opening through the edge of said femaledie to permit the tab to project laterally therefrom for driving, andmeans for operend therefrom, and operating devices for said means.

28. In combination, means for feeding stock, a head provided with andcarrying mechanism for securing tabs to the stock at intervals thereonin such a manner as to project therefrom approximately at right anglesthereto, said head having a portion for engaging and moving such tabs toa po sition on and approximately parallel with the surface of the stock,and means at the under side of said stock for bending the ends of thetabs projecting through the stock laterally approximately to the undersurface of the stock. I

29. Means for feeding-and supporting stock, in combination with a headprovided with means for fastening tabs by their ends to said stock withthe tabs projecting therefrom and for simultaneously moving thepreviously applied projecting tabs into position on and approximatelyparallel with the surface of the'stock.

30. A wire-cutting-andtab-driving head having wire-cutting andtab-clamping means comprising a die at one end having a working faceproviding a cutting edge, and a die block provided with a cooperatingopening to receivevsaid die, said opening formed by a recess open towardthe work to receive the tab severed from the wire by said die and blockwith the tab held in and driven by the walls of the recess'andprojecting therefrom toward the work..

31. A wire-cutting-and-tab-driving-head provided with means to guide thewire said head'to clamp the end of the wire fromwhich the tab has beensevered duringthe' tab driving stroke, said last mentioned means beingcontrolled by said wire cutting mechanism.

32. A wire-cuttingand-tab-driving-head having means to guide the wiretherethrough comprising, a yieldingly-helcl plate in said head, and wirecutting and tab holding and driving means comprising a membercooperating with said plate to clamp thereagainst the wire end fromwhich the tab has been severed.

33. A Wire-cutting-and-tab-driving-head having means to guide the wiretherethrough comprising a spring-actuated plate, and wire cutting andtab driving means comprising a spring plunger to cooperate with saidplate in clamping the wire end thereto during the tab driving stroke ofthe head.

34. A wire-cutting-and-tab-driving-head having means to guide the wiretherethrough and provided with wire-cutting and tabclamping and drivingmeans comprising a die and a cooperating die block having a recess toreceive said die and to hold and back the tab while being driven, saiddie block having a punch opposing and cooperating with said die.

35. A wire-cutting-and-tab-driving-head having means to guide the wiretherethrough and provided with wire-cutting and tabclamping and drivingmeans comprising a die, a stripper therefor, and a cooperating die blockhaving a recess to receive said die and to hold and back the tab whilebeing driven, said die block provided with means to strip the tab fromsaid recess.

36. A reciprocatory head provided with wirecutting and tab-driving meanscarried by said head and arranged at the edge thereof adjacent to thestock into which the tab is to be driven and comprising cooperating maleand female dies and operating means, said female die having a recessopen toward the stock and into which the tab-forming length is punchedlaterally from the wire and wherein said tab is held projecting from thehead and toward the work while being driven.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe 37. In combination, a reciprocatory head, Wire-clamping and cuttingand tab-driving mechanism carried by said head, means for operating saidhead on its wire feeding and tab driving stroke toward the stock intowhich the tab is to be driven and on its return stroke, and operatingand timing means for operating said mechanism to release said wire andpermit the head to slide freely thereon on its return stroke, and to cuta tab therefrom and grip and hold the tab projecting from the head onthe driving stroke of the head and also to grip the wire and feed thesame forward on the driving stroke of the head.

38. In combination, a reciprocatory head, mechanism carried by said headfor cutting tab-forming lengths from wire and for driving said tabs,said mechanism comprising cooperating wire-cutting and tab-clampingdies, and operating means therefor, a pair of spaced guide fingers,means for guiding the wire across said dies and between said fingers,the tab cut from said wire and held by said dies for driving beingarranged be tween and projecting beyond said fingers toward the stockinto which it is to be driven, and means for operating said head on itstab driving and return strokes.

39. A wire-cutting and feeding and tab driving head provided with wirecutting and tab driving means comprising male and female wire cuttingdies, and an operating slide therefor, a pair of parallel wire and tabguiding fingers slidably and longitudinally arranged with respect to oneof said dies, and means for guiding the wire to be cut across said diesand between said fingers, substantially as decribed.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILBUR L. WRIGHT.

Witnesses:

B. T. WEBSTER, FRED Gr. COLDREA.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

